Hit The First Case: Rajkummar Rao Shines in this Whodunit Thriller

Plot

Hit The First Case follows Vikram, a police officer suffering from PTSD, as he juggles his traumatic past and tries to solve a missing persons case that involves his girlfriend. The film is a classic whodunit thriller that keeps you guessing until the end. Though the film begins tentatively by introducing the characters and their backstories, it soon picks up the pace, throwing red herrings at you and making you doubt every character.

Acting

The film's highlight and its biggest strength is the performance of its lead actor, Rajkummar Rao. Raj delivers a performance that’s not only nuanced but also extremely refined. The varied emotions of loss, anger, grief, and frustration that he shows as Vikram tries to join the dots in this puzzle are simply amazing. Sanya Malhotra excels in her scenes as Vikram's girlfriend, though she gets little screen time.

Cinematography

The film's relocations from Telangana to Jaipur mark the visual topography and make it markedly different. Manikandan's cinematography does a great job in capturing the essence of the film's surroundings. Garry BH's editing also deserves a mention for keeping the pace tight and engaging.

Direction

Director Sailesh Kolanu does a good job in recreating the South Indian hit and molding it for a Hindi audience. The film's narrative is simple, and Kolanu manages to keep you engaged for most parts. However, he does falter in executing the emotional scenes and dialogue, which come across as superficial when compared to the rest of the film.

Overall Verdict

Hit The First Case is a well-made thriller that keeps you guessing till the end, a quality which today’s whodunnits seem to have lost. The film's second half is predictable, and we get very little information on Vikram's traumatic past. However, the film is worth a watch for Rajkummar Rao's stellar performance and the engaging whodunit plot. If you're a fan of classic Bollywood thrillers, Hit The First Case won't disappoint.

Share this review